Media Criticism & Chronicles from a Former Reporter

WASHINGTON (CBSDC) — Although news organizations’ ratings in accuracy, fairness and independence remain at all-time lows, a new poll finds that Americans continue to say the press acts as a watchdog against political wrongdoing.

The Pew Research Center poll from July found that nearly seven-in-ten (68 percent) of U.S. adults say media criticism of political leaders keeps them in check. This is up 10 points from a 2011 poll.

However, 21 percent say press criticism keeps political leaders from doing their job.

Almost equal majorities of Republicans (69 percent), independents (69 percent) and Democrats (67 percent) see press watchdogs as a “Fourth Estate” check on political corruption. Younger people were found to be more likely to say news organizations keep political leaders in check.

But outside of its watchdog role, the media received decidedly negative ratings from the public. Sixty-seven percent said that news reports are often inaccurate, and even…

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Adam F. Hutton

I have a Master's degree in Political Science and a Bachelor's degree in Media Studies. I'm a journalist and political scientist who writes about politics and media at Politics Starts Here and Journalism Ends Here. I tweet from @adamfhutton and @JournalismEnds.